They say there is no such thing as a coincidence and that everything happens for a reason. I am a firm believer in this.

We choose the instances in our lives as well as the people we interact with. We also choose to either take responsibility for others or not. In my lifetime I have come to realize that it is our moral responsibility to do what we can to better the lives of those we know and those we don’t know. After all, we all share this lovely planet.

I write this letter today, the giving pledge, in hopes that my story can inspire one from any walk of life to rise up and take action; to extend a helping hand…to nurture our planet and our people, and essentially all life on earth.

My journey began 40 plus years ago, when I had to leave my motherland, in order to find a job to repay a loan I had taken to arrange my sister’s wedding. From the green country side of South India, I had landed in Abu Dhabi in 1973, with a mere $8 in my pocket and a small brief case to look for brighter beginnings.

At the time, Abu Dhabi was a desert with a few one-storey buildings. I found shelter in a cabin and went about looking for employment. I had become the first outdoor salesman in a very hot country. I have never looked back since then.

Even through our humble beginnings, my mother always taught us not to forget our community and to always help at least 10 people around us. I have also learned from the benevolence of the Rulers of the UAE, the importance of giving back in Health, Education and infrastructure for all. Now that we have been fortunate, it is our responsibility to multiply that 10 to as many people as possible, starting from our communities and moving to the rest of the world.

This is why my wife and I are particularly interested in the giving pledge community because together we can do much more. Bill, Melinda and Warren, you have personally inspired us and are on the right track of bridging the gap of wealth distribution. If really today 10% of the world’s population can resolve 90% of the world’s problems then we all better get moving.

We are very proud to be part of the giving pledge and must thank you for giving our family the opportunity to be a part of this community.

It is a crime when you are able to help others and choose not to…